FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                    Contact:  Janelle Simmons, 221.9195

October 25, 2004

 

SHELTERS NEED HELP MAKING WINTER BEDS

 

 

COLUMBUS, OHIO— The weather will soon turn cold in Central Ohio and individuals who are homeless will be faced with additional hardships.  The area shelters are bracing themselves for the cold weather ahead and the increased demand for services that will come with it.  The Community Shelter Board (CSB) and its partner agencies are asking the people of Columbus and Franklin County for help this year by donating blankets, single bed linens, and towels to area shelters. 

 

“The shelters have once again agreed to expand their services to keep people out of the cold,” said Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of CSB.  “They really need help from the community to make up those extra beds with sheets, mattress pads, blankets, pillows, and pillow cases.”  Towels of all sizes and washcloths are also needed to keep up with the increased demand for showers, said Poppe. 

 

Any clean, gently used, or new linens, blankets, and towels are welcome.   If you would like to make a donation, please contact one of the agencies listed below.

 

Catholic Social Services

221-5891

Faith Mission

224-6617

Friends of the Homeless

253-2770

Homeless Families Foundation

461-9247

Maryhaven

449-1530

Volunteers of America

849-0145

YWCA of Columbus

228-9211

YMCA of Central Ohio

224-1131

 

The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration, and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve their housing crisis.  The Community Shelter Board allocates $7.5 million annually to support programs at 12 agencies.  Last year, these programs served more than 11,000 individuals.  The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.

 

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